Plug For Bottle

ABSTRACT

An improvement to the plugs of bottles generally cylindrical in shape, delineated by a so-called upper end ( 4 ) and a so-called lower end ( 5 ). The cylindrical body ( 1 ) of the plug includes a cylindrical wall ( 6 ) made of moulded plastic material, inside which are provided—a sealing structure ( 20 ) at least liquid-proof, and—a stiffening honeycomb structure ( 7 ), also made of moulded plastic material, provided as single block with the cylindrical wall; the honeycomb structure ( 7 ) is formed of a plurality of longitudinal channels ( 10 ) juxtaposed, which channels ( 10 ) extend from the sealing structure ( 20 ) up to at least one of the upper ( 4 ) and/or lower ( 5 ) ends of the cylindrical body ( 1 ), at which they emerge, and it is in the form of a beehive structure, formed of channels, whereof at least the greater portion exhibits transversal hexagonal or substantially hexagonal section. The sealing structure ( 20 ) includes advantageously of a compound-filled insert ( 21 ) whose nature is appropriate for optimising the preservation and/or the evolution of the liquid packed in the bottle.

The present invention relates to a new structure of plug for bottle.

A very large number of different types of plugs are known, suited for ensuring the necessary tightness at the opening of the neck of the bottle assemblies.

For several centuries, cork plugs generally cylindrical in shape have been used. But cork is criticised more and more due to its high price in high qualities, or due to inconstant, let alone mediocre, qualities in reasonable price ranges.

Consequently, the users choose plugs made of synthetic material more and more, also made of moulded or extruded plastic material (see in particular the plugs described in documents GB-1 030 775, CH-307 930 or still FR-1 078 273). But the synthetic plugs presented in these documents include a honeycomb structure whereof the channels have circular or oblong sections which deform when being pushed into the neck of a bottle. The visual aspect of the compressed plugs is then not optimum, like the resistance, resilience and tightness characteristics thereof.

On the other hand, these synthetic plugs do not enable generally to optimise the preservation or the evolution of the packed liquid, in particular when dealing with wine.

The purpose of this invention is to offer a new efficient plug, i.e. providing for an exemplary tightness, exhibiting good radial compressibility characteristics, relatively simple in its structure and of little expensive production cost.

To this end, the plug according to the present invention is in the form of a cylindrical body, delineated by a so-called upper end and by a so-called lower end, the latter being intended for engaging first into said bottle neck; this cylindrical body includes a cylindrical wall made of moulded plastic material, inside which are provided—a sealing structure which is at least liquid-proof, and—a stiffening honeycomb structure, also made of moulded plastic material, provided as single block with said cylindrical wall; this honeycomb structure is formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinal channels, extending from said sealing structure up to at least one of the upper and/or lower ends of the cylindrical body, at which they emerge, and it is in the form of a beehive structure, formed of channels whereof at least the greater portion exhibits transversal hexagonal or substantially hexagonal section.

The corresponding honeycomb structure confers this plug an excellent resistance to axial compression, as well as a relative radial flexibility, optimising its intrinsic qualities of resistance and sealing capacity. In particular, its radial compression is performed homogenously when being pushed into the neck of the bottle. Once inserted in its receiving neck, the honeycomb structure appears practically undeformed, which enables to obtain good tightness characteristics, lastable in time, and which enables to preserve an optimum visual aspect.

Moreover, this honeycomb structure enables the insertion of any type of corkscrew, then the extraction of the plug without any problems.

According to a first interesting embodiment, the sealing structure is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical body.

In a second possible embodiment, the sealing structure is provided at an intermediate position over the length of the cylindrical body, between the upper and lower ends.

In such a case, the stiffening honeycomb structure, formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinal channels, is provided in two sections extending on both sides of the sealing structure.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the sealing structure consists of a single-piece pellet of plastic material.

In a preferred embodiment variation, the sealing structure of the cylindrical body includes a compound-filled insert made of a material of appropriate nature for optimising the preservation and/or the evolution of the liquid packed in the bottle; this compound-filled insert is made of cork (preferably high quality) or still of wood, of appropriate nature. According to a preferred embodiment of this variation, the compound-filled insert is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical body, and it is in the form of a cylindrical pellet whereof the axis is coaxial to said cylindrical body; this circular pellet is surrounded and held by the compound-filling material—by means of a tubular extension at its cylindrical peripheral wall,—by means of two annular flanges at the external rings of its upper and lower faces, and—by means of the wall of the channels of the honeycomb structure at its upper face accessible via the opening delineated by said upper annular flange.

According to other particularly interesting characteristics, the cylindrical wall of the plug has an average thickness ranging between 1 and 3 mm; the honeycomb structure is formed of channels whereof the ratio between the average diameter and the average thickness of the walls ranges between 1 and 8, preferably between 2 and 6; the honeycomb structure is formed of a juxtaposition of longitudinal channels, in number ranging between 10 and 50, preferably between 15 and 40.

On the other hand, in particular for easy centring of the corkscrew, one of the channels of the honeycomb structure is arranged on the axis of the cylindrical body.

According to another particularity, the cylindrical wall of the plug includes a juxtaposition of external annular protrusions, over at least a portion of its height, for optimising its sealing capacity of the neck of the bottle.

According still to another particularity, the lower portion of the cylindrical body of the plug has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper portion of said cylindrical body, in particular for easier positioning on the neck of the bottle.

According still to another particularity, the upper portion of the cylindrical body is extended by a single-piece skirt intended for covering the external face of the upper portion of the neck of the bottle.

Within this framework, at the linking portion between the cylindrical body and the overlaying skirt, the plug includes advantageously two parallel circular lines, tapering in section, delineating a ring, united by a line of material tapering in section, said tapering lines forming a tongue easy to be removed manually or by means of an appropriate tool, for separating the “plug’ portion properly speaking from the “skirt” portion.

According still to another characteristic, the upper portion of the skirt, which is situated just below the tongue for separation the cylindrical body from the skirt, is shaped so as to be spaced apart slightly from the external face of the neck of the bottle, once the assembly placed correctly on said bottle neck, to form a small annular tank for receiving possible liquid overflows during service.

The invention will now be illustrated, without being limited thereto, by the following description of several particular embodiments, given solely by way of example, and represented on the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first possible embodiment of a plug according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plug as illustrated on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an upper view of the plug of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view which shows the location of the plug of FIGS. 1 to 3 in the neck of a bottle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of a plug according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plug of FIG. 5 inserted in the neck of a bottle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third possible embodiment of a plug according to the present invention, fitted with an external single-piece skirt;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the plug as illustrated on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the plug illustrated on FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the plug of FIGS. 7 to 9, in position in the neck of a bottle;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth possible embodiment of a plug according to the invention, wherein a compound-filled insert is placed in central intermediate position, surrounded by the stiffening honeycomb structure arranged on both sides.

The plug 1, represented on FIGS. 1 to 4, is in the form of a body generally cylindrical in shape with a central axis 2, provided as a single-piece made of synthetic moulded material, of plastic food contact type such as polypropylene for instance. The cylindrical body 1 is mainly delineated—by a peripheral surface 3, and by—two ends, one upper 4 and the other lower 5.

More precisely, the cylindrical body 1 includes a cylindrical or tubular wall 6, inside which is arranged a stiffening honeycomb structure 7, provided as a single piece with said cylindrical wall 6 during the moulding operation.

The corresponding cylindrical wall 6 extends along the whole length of the cylindrical body 1; it has an average thickness ranging between 1 and 3 mm. Its external surface includes a plurality of parallel annular protrusions 8 partaking of the resistance and sealing qualities of the plug. These protrusions 8 extend perpendicular to the axis 2 of the plug; in such a case, a first annular protrusion 8′ is arranged at the upper end 4 of the cylindrical body 1, and a juxtaposition of protrusions 8″ are arranged over slightly more than the lower half of the wall 6. A section of smooth surface 9 separates the upper protrusion 8′ from the group of protrusions 8″.

The stiffening honeycomb structure 7 is for its own part, formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinal channels 10, in this case 19 in number. These channels 10 exhibit a transversal hexagonal section thus forming a general beehive structure (it will be noted that some of these channels, situated on the periphery of the honeycomb structure 7, exhibit a truncated hexagonal section, for holding the thickness of the cylindrical wall 6 at substantially constant value).

On FIGS. 2 and 4, it appears that these channels 10 extend parallel to one another, and also parallel to the axis 2 of the plug, from the upper end 4 of the cylindrical body 1 at which they emerge each through an opening 11; these channels 10 extend up to the lower end 5 of the cylindrical body 1, at which is provided a sealing structure 12 of a single-piece pellet of plastic material.

On FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be noted still that one of the channels 10′ is arranged coaxially to the axis 2 of the cylindrical body 1; the other channels 10 are distributed over circular and concentric lines, around this central channel 10′.

The walls of the channels 10 are relatively thin relative to their average diameter; in particular, the ratio between the average diameter of the channels 10, and the average thickness of their wall, ranges between 1 and 8, and preferably between 2 and 6. Consequently, the volume occupied by the channels 10 is much greater than the volume occupied by the plastic material.

The channels 10 of the honeycomb structure 7 are distributed homogeneously over the whole section of the plug, inside the cylindrical wall 6.

A light plug is thus obtained, requiring little moulding material but exhibiting nevertheless an excellent resistance to longitudinal or axial compression, as well as a relative transversal or radial flexibility.

Conventionally, the tight closing of a bottle filled previously with a liquid in question, is performed by inserting correctly and forcibly the plug 1 within the opening 15 of the neck 16, as illustrated on FIG. 4.

In this position, the upper end 4 of the plug 1 is oriented to the outside of the bottle, so that its channels 10 emerge also to the outside; the lower end 5 of the plug, fitted with the sealing pellet 12, can for its own part be positioned on the inner side of the bottle. The radial flexibility of this plug, connected to the internal honeycomb structure 7, associated with the action of the annular protrusions 8 (8′, 8″) enables to obtain good sealing properties. The beehive structure does not deform or hardly after inserting the plug into the neck of the bottle.

The extraction of the plug can be realised by means of a conventional corkscrew fitted with a spiral screw. The central channel 10′ facilitates the correct location of the end of the screw of the corkscrew; and the stiffening honeycomb structure 7 enables correct insertion of this screw, then efficient traction with a view to extracting the plug.

The upper portion of the honeycomb structure 7 may act as a receiving surface for any advertising or informative member, for instance for a protection pellet fitted with a tax stamp necessary to the marketing of wines in particular.

The section of the channels 10, 10′ of the honeycomb structure 7 is advantageously slightly decreasing from the upper end 4 toward the lower end 5. This particularity is associated to the necessary presence of a relief angle on the moulding spindles, to enable or at least easier drawing from the mould.

The second embodiment of the plug, illustrated on FIGS. 5 and 6, is distinct from that described above relative to FIGS. 1 to 4, mainly by the presence of an compound-filled insert at its lower end 5.

Thus, on these FIGS. 5 and 6, a plug 1 generally cylindrical in shape can be found, including a cylindrical wall cylindrical 6 provided on its periphery with a plurality of juxtaposed annular protrusions 8′, 8″. The stiffening honeycomb structure 7 can also be found, realised as a single piece made of moulded plastic material with the cylindrical wall 6, and formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinal channels 10 forming a beehive structure (the channels 10 are in this case 37 in number); theses channels 10 extend from the upper end 4 where they emerge to the outside, down to the sealing structure 20 fitted with the compound-filled insert 21.

The sealing structure 20 in question, including the insert 21, is visible in detail on FIG. 6.

The corresponding insert 21 consists of a cylindrical pellet, realised in an appropriate material for optimising the preservation and/or the evolution of the packed liquid in the bottle assembly. The type of insert used is selected according to the packed liquid in the bottle, and according to the requested preservation and/or evolution parameters. For wine, this insert is preferably made of cork, advantageously high quality; this enables to offer a “traditional type” plug, of high quality but for an acceptable cost due to the small quantities of cork used.

The insert in question may also be made of wood, of appropriate nature.

To enable it to fulfil its function correctly, the insert 21 is held within the lower sealing structure 20, by the compound-filling plastic material, so that, on the other hand, its upper portion 22 is in relation with the outside via at least some of the channels 10 of the honeycomb structure 7, and on the other hand, its lower portion 23 is in relation with the internal environment of the bottle, once the plug 1 is in placed correctly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insert 21 is in the form of a circular pellet arranged coaxially to the axis 2 of the plug. It is held by the compound-filling material at its cylindrical peripheral wall, by means of a tubular extension 24, and at the external rings of its upper 22 and lower 23 faces, by means of two annular flanges, respectively 25 and 26. The flanges 25 and 26 thus delineate respectively each an opening 27 and 28, via which the upper 22 and lower 23 faces of the insert are in relation with the outside; the upper face 22 of the insert 21, accessible through the opening 27, is still held by the walls of the channels 10 of the honeycomb structure 7.

The insert 21 may have a diameter ranging between 3 and 16 mm and a thickness ranging between 3 and 20 mm.

The lower opening 28, delineated by the compound-filled flange 26 is centred on the axis 2 and may have a diameter ranging between 2 and 15 mm. The upper opening 27, also centred on the axis 2, may have the same gauge.

The upper compound-filling flange 25 which delineates the upper opening 27, and the stiffening honeycomb structure 7, define together mechanical back-up means capable of avoiding, or at least severely limiting, the deformations or alterations of the insert 21 when placing the plug on the receiving bottle (in particular for the inserts made of relatively soft material such as cork). Indeed, when placing the plugs on the bottles, in particular by the conventional mechanised means, the axial pressures sustained are sometimes very high.

The honeycomb structure 7 fulfils a protection function of the integrity of the insert while blocking any accidental introduction of external objects; moreover, if a microporous type insert 21 is used, it promotes exchanges between the packed liquid and the outside.

On FIGS. 5 and 6, it also appears that the lower end 5 of the plug 1 has a diameter slightly smaller than the remainder of the cylindrical body. Such feature enables to facilitate the location and the insertion of the plug on the neck of the bottle.

The portion of diameter slightly smaller is deprived of annular protrusion and corresponds here to the thickness of the sealing structure 20. The corresponding reduced diameter can be obtained within the framework of the manufacturing method of the plug, and in particular naturally, due to the compression of the insert associated to the high pressures implemented.

The corresponding compression is obtained in particular for cork inserts; such compression has also as a consequence to improve the sealing features between the materials after moulding.

The third embodiment of a plug, illustrated on FIGS. 7 to 10, has a general structure identical to the embodiment described above relative to FIGS. 5 and 6, and includes additionally a peripheral single-piece skirt, intended for covering the external face of the neck of the receiving bottle.

A plug generally cylindrical in shape 1 including a cylindrical wall 6 can be found here, wherein is arranged a honeycomb structure 7 formed of a juxtaposition of longitudinal channels 10, organised generally as a beehive; theses channels extend from the upper end 4 of the plug where they emerge, up to the lower end 5 where they are closed by the sealing structure 20 fitted with the adapted insert 21.

In this embodiment variation, the upper portion of the cylindrical wall 6 is fitted with an extension in the form of a single piece peripheral ring 30 intended for covering the top of the neck of the bottle, from which extends a skirt 31 for overlaying the external face of said neck, also obtained as a single piece.

The corresponding ring 30 is structured to form a kind of tongue easy to be removed manually or by means of an appropriate tool, for separating the “plug” portion 1 properly speaking from the “skirt” portion 31, in order to enable extraction the “plug” 1 by the consumer.

To do so, the ring 30 is delineated by two parallel annular lines 32 and 33, where the material is tapered to form kind of pre-cut lines; these lines form for one 32, the linking line with the upper end 4 of the cylindrical body 1, and for the other 33, the linking line with the skirt 31. Moreover, this ring 30 is still fitted with a tapered line of material 34, extending between both linking lines 32 and 33 aforementioned; this tapered line of material 34, here slightly rounded in shape, facilitates the gripping of an end of the ring/tongue 30, and its removal by traction along a revolution movement around the neck 16 of the bottle.

On FIG. 10, it can be noted still that the upper end 35 of the skirt 31 is slightly flared, so as to move away by a few millimetres with respect to the external face of the neck of the bottle. This particular arrangement enables to form a kind of small annular tank 36 on the periphery of the neck, once the tongue 30 has been removed. This small peripheral tank 36 is adapted to collect the possible liquid overflows during service.

This structure of plug is adapted so that the single-piece skirt 31 encloses at best the neck of the bottle when the portion of plug is located correctly in the neck. The corresponding placement is performed by any adapted mechanical means, or manually.

In an embodiment variation, the plug with its single-piece skirt can be deprived of annular tank 36.

Independently of this invention, it will be noted that the single-piece skirt 31, with or without annular tank 36 can be contemplated in the extension of the upper portion of a plug made of plastic material which would not include the stiffening honeycomb structure 7 defined above, nor, possibly, the insert 21 made of cork or of wood.

It can also be contemplated to realise such a skirt 31 with the annular tank 36 and without any associated plug structure, the upper portion of this skirt being simply fitted with a single-piece circular pellet tucked in by the tongue 30.

Another possible embodiment of the plug according to the present invention, illustrated on FIG. 11, differs on the structural plane relative to the plug described above relative to FIGS. 5 to 10, since its compound-filled insert is provided at intermediate position over the length of the cylindrical body, between two portions of honeycomb structure enabling the relation thereof with the outside.

On this FIG. 11, a plug with a body 1 generally cylindrical in shape can be found, including a cylindrical wall 6 hugging the compound-filled insert 21 in the form of a circular pellet such as cork or wood, arranged coaxially to the axis 2 of the plug.

According to this embodiment, the insert 21 is situated in central position over the length of the plug, and the stiffening honeycomb structure is made of two portions 7′ and 7″, identical or at least similar, arranged on both sides of said insert 21. Both these portions of honeycomb structure 7′ and 7″ are formed of a juxtaposition of longitudinal channels 10, generally in the form of a beehive, and are identical to those described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 10. The channels 10 extend from the insert 21 up at the ends 4 and 5 of the plug, at which they emerge.

The compound-filled insert 21 is here held by the cylindrical wall 6, at its peripheral surface, and by both portions of honeycomb structure 7′ and 7″, respectively at its upper face 22 and of its lower face 23. This insert 21 is thus in relation with the outside via the channels 10 of the honeycomb structure 7′ for its upper face 22, and via the channels 10 of the honeycomb structure 7″ for its lower face 23.

A symmetrical plug is obtained which may be located in any direction on the neck of a bottle.

According to an embodiment variation, the compound-filled of FIG. 11 can be replaced with a single-piece sealing structure of plastic material, similar to that described previously in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Still in another possible embodiment of the plug according to the present invention, the sealing structure will be provided at the upper end of the cylindrical body and the stiffening honeycomb structure will extend therebelow, up to the lower end. 

1. A plug generally cylindrical in shape intended for sealing the neck of a bottle, said cylindrical body (1) being delineated by a so-called upper end (4) and by a so-called lower end (5), the latter being intended for engaging first into said bottle neck, said cylindrical body (1) including a cylindrical wall (6) made of moulded plastic material, inside which are provided—a sealing structure (12, 20) at least liquid-proof, and—a stiffening honeycomb structure (7, 7′, 7″), also made of moulded plastic material, provided as single block with said cylindrical wall (6), which honeycomb structure (7; 7′, 7″) is formed of a plurality of juxtaposed longitudinal channels (10), extending from said sealing structure (12, 20) up to at least one of the upper (4) and/or lower (5) ends of said cylindrical body, at which they emerge, characterised in that the honeycomb internal structure (7; 7′, 7″) is in the form of a beehive, formed of channels (10) whereof at least the greater portion exhibits transversal hexagonal or substantially hexagonal section.
 2. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing structure (12, 20) is provided at the so-called lower end (5) of the cylindrical body (1).
 3. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing structure (12, 20) is provided at intermediate position over the length of the cylindrical body (1), between the upper (4) and lower (5) ends.
 4. A plug according to claim 3, characterised in that the stiffening honeycomb structure is provided in two sections (7′ and 7″) extending on both sides of the sealing structure (12, 20).
 5. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing structure consists of a single-piece pellet of plastic material (12).
 6. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing structure (20) contains a compound-filled insert (21) made of a material of appropriate nature for optimising the preservation and/or the evolution of the liquid packed in the bottle.
 7. A plug according to claim 6, characterised in that the compound-filled insert (21) is made of cork.
 8. A plug according to claim 6, characterised in that the compound-filled insert (21) is made of wood.
 9. A plug according to claim 6, characterised in that the compound-filled insert (21) is provided at the so-called lower end (5) of the cylindrical body (1), and is in the form of a cylindrical pellet whereof the axis is coaxial to said cylindrical body (1), which circular pellet (21) is held by the compound-filling material—by means of a tubular extension (24) at its cylindrical peripheral wall,—by means of two annular flanges (25, 26) at the external rings of its upper (22) and lower (23) faces, and—by means of the wall of the channels (10) of the honeycomb structure (7) at its upper face (22) accessible through the opening (27) delineated by said upper flange (25).
 10. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that its cylindrical wall (6) has an average thickness ranging between 1 and 3 mm.
 11. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the honeycomb internal structure (7; 7′, 7″) is formed of channels (10) whereof the ratio between the average diameter and the average thickness of the walls ranges between 1 and 8, and preferably between 2 and
 6. 12. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the honeycomb internal structure (7; 7′, 7″) is formed of a juxtaposition of longitudinal channels (10), in number ranging between 10 and 50, preferably between 15 and
 40. 13. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the honeycomb internal structure (7; 7′, 7″) includes a channel (10′) arranged on the axis (2) of the cylindrical body (1).
 14. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that its cylindrical wall (6) includes a juxtaposition of external annular protrusions (8), over at least a portion of its height, for optimising its sealing capacities.
 15. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower portion (5) of its cylindrical body (1) has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper portion of said cylindrical body (1), in particular for easier positioning on the neck (16) of the bottle.
 16. A plug according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper portion (4) of the cylindrical body (1) is extended by a single-piece skirt (31) intended for covering the external face of the upper portion of the neck (16) of the bottle.
 17. A plug according to claim 16, characterised in that it includes, at the linking portion between the cylindrical body (1) and the overlaying skirt (31), two parallel circular lines (32, 33) tapering in section, delineating a ring (30), united by a line (34) also tapering in section, said ring (30) forming a tongue easy to be removed manually or by means of an appropriate tool, in order to separate the “plug” portion (1) properly speaking of the “skirt” portion (31).
 18. A plug according to claim 17, characterised in that it includes a skirt (31) whereof the upper portion (35), situated just below said tongue (30) for separating the cylindrical body from the skirt, is shaped so as to be spaced apart slightly from the external face of the neck (16) of the bottle, once the assembly placed correctly on said bottle neck, to provide a small annular tank (36) for receiving possible liquid overflows during service.
 19. A plug according to claim 2, characterised in that the sealing structure consists of a single-piece pellet of plastic material (12).
 20. A plug according to claim 7, characterised in that the compound-filled insert (21) is provided at the so-called lower end (5) of the cylindrical body (1), and is in the form of a cylindrical pellet whereof the axis is coaxial to said cylindrical body (1), which circular pellet (21) is held by the compound-filling material—by means of a tubular extension (24) at its cylindrical peripheral wall,—by means of two annular flanges (25, 26) at the external rings of its upper (22) and lower (23) faces, and—by means of the wall of the channels (10) of the honeycomb structure (7) at its upper face (22) accessible through the opening (27) delineated by said upper flange (25). 